The Studio
Spike Print Studio in Cumberland Road,Bristol, where I work has 2 very large well lit rooms, where there are facilities provided for all aspects of printmaking, including sinks, soaking baths, and at least five different hand turned printing presses available in the studio for members. The Print Studio is part of a large complex, which includes Art galleries where many contemporary exhibitions and events take place. There is a cafe, and also facilities for students at the UWE. Artists can also rent their own studio space.The studio offers a wide variety of printing courses offered to the public in all aspects of printmaking from beginners to experienced.There are several levels of membership, which are explained on their website-Spike Print Studio.
Relief pressesThese presses can be used to hand print lino cuts, woodcuts and wood engravings. The wheel is turned by hand once the lino or wood engraving has been placed on the press, with the paper placed over it. They vary in size, and adjustments are made suit all types of paper and thickness of wood or lino. When people join they are shown how to use the presses as they are heavy and all operate slightly differently.
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Etching PressesThese are used to print etchings from copper and aluminium plate. Paper is soaked in water and dampened first of all.The copper plate is inked. Then the plate is put on the board under press. The damp paper is placed on top of this and the wheel is hand turned. It goes through the press, engraving the design from the copper plate on to the damp paper.The presses are complex and have to be maintained regularly .
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